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The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency

What’s the Story?

Reviewed by Emily Ashby

Based on the popular novels by Alexander McCall Smith, THE NO. 1 LADIES' DETECTIVE AGENCY follows the goings on at Botswana's first (and therefore best) female-run detective business. When her beloved father dies and leaves her 180 cows -- a veritable fortune -- Precious Ramotswe (Jill Scott) decides it's time to follow her dream, so she sells the herd and sets out for the city of Gaborone to hang out her shingle as a solver of mysteries. While her charisma wins over everyone she meets -- including her rigid secretary, Mma Makutsi (Anika Noni Rose), and the local mechanic, JLB Matekoni (Lucian Msamati) -- it's Precious' common-sense knack for observing human nature that turns her into an effective, empathetic gumshoe.

Is It Any Good?

4

It's always a leap of faith to transfer popular books to the movie or TV screen, since they risk losing a certain artful quality. But nervous fans of Smith's delightful novels can breathe easier knowing that this series has charm to spare and does the books proud. Scott is an absolute delight as the passionate, undaunted Precious, and the supporting players -- each one as talented and appealing as the next -- draw viewers into the rhythms of Botswanan culture.

The episodes' storylines touch on themes that might start fans' wheels turning, including women's struggles to break out of "traditional" working roles, domestic violence, and the repercussions of disease on the African population. Though the show somewhat glosses over some of these serious issues, it's understandable in context of the series' mostly lighthearted nature. Teens and up will enjoy the lyrical dialogue and endearing characters.
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